Participation in Swim Team Practices

Participation in practice is essential to developing as a swimmer. Every effort should be made to participate in scheduled sessions for your age group. There are always exceptions and conflicts for each swimmer and family (sickness, vacations, injury, etc), and there is no penalty for not attending a scheduled practice. In general, the following guidelines should be observed:

1)Prior to the end of school, swimmers should make an effort to attend swim practices

2)After school ends and morning practices begin, double sessions for swimmers are offered, and we strongly encourage that swimmers participate in at least one practice per day.

We understand that some swimmers participate in other swimming programs, and those practice schedules prohibit them from practicing regularly/ daily with the Nitro Fish swim team. To be considered for Nitro Fish relays, swimmers are required to participate in at least 1 Nitro Fish practice per week, as participation in practice helps in building a strong team with positive inter-squad relationships.

Parental Supervision During Swim Team Practices

Parents are welcome to attend and watch practices. In fact, HOA rules require that swimmers have a responsible adult present, unless they have passed a swim test with the life guards (age 12 and up). Parents of swimmers under 12 should work out who their present, responsible adult will be during practice. A single adult can be responsible for multiple swimmers, so it is not essential that all parents be presesnt. Feel free to share the load. If you have other children with you during practice times, please encourage them to follow life guard instructions and refrain from disrupting practice sessions.

We ask that parents refrain from talking to swimmers and coaches during practice, as it is disruptive to the practice and pulls the coach from their supervising responsibilities. Coaches have been given the responsibility to teach strokes, ensure safe swimming for all, and the authority to oversee practices. It takes their attention and time away from the swimmers when we, as parents, try to talk to them while a practice session is underway. Please be respectful of the job they are being paid to do and direct your questions and concerns to a swim board member (generally at least one will be at each session), so we may direct your inquiry to the appropriate person. If your question/ concern requires the attention of a coach, please contact the coach via email. If you have younger children you may bring them with you to watch practice, but if there is no lifeguard present they are not allowed to enter the pool, sit on the pool steps, or play in the baby pool.

Cancellations

The swim team must operate under the pool rules, and if the pool is on a thunder or lightning closure, we do not practice. The life guards on duty decide when it is safe to reenter the water, so please keep in mind that cancellation of swim practice is beyond the coaches’ and swim board’s control. When heavy storms are forecasted, coaches and board members will watch closely to try to make a timely decision about practice. Cancellations will be communicated via the REMIND app.

Behavior at Practices

Swimmers should be at practice no earlier than 15 minutes before their practice session begins. It is important that they be on time– as late arrival can be disruptive.

Please ensure that your child understands that Swim practice is a time to listen and learn- not play time. Swimmers are expected to follow the directions and instructions of the coaching staff. At no time will disrespectful behavior towards coaches or teammates be tolerated from any swimmer. In addition, swimmers must abide by the SAIL Code of Ethics. If a coach or a board member sees that he/she is being a distraction and not behaving appropriately they will first be warned. Secondly, they will be required to sit out for 5 minutes, and thirdly they will be removed from the pool, and you will be contacted. If a swimmer is asked to leave a second time, there will be a mandatory meeting of the Child, the Child’s Parents, coach, and at least 2 board members to discuss the situation before the child is allowed to participate in further swim team activities. On the third expulsion, the swimmer will not be allowed to participate for the remainder of the year. There are no refunds if a swimmer is removed for behavioral reasons.